High Museum Observation Report

Midterm Extra Credit:
The Shade was a gift from the French Government to the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center, formerly the Atlanta Art Association on October 5, 1968. The sculpture entitled The Shade was given in memory of the 122 Atlanta Art Association Members who lost their lives in a plane crash at Orly Field Paris on June 3, 1962.


High Museum Observation Report:
· Your favorite work of art? Why?
The Veiled Rebekah, 1864 by Giovanni Maria Benzoni (Italian, 1809-1873) This work of art was amazing. Although this sculpture is made of white marble, the veil that covers her face seems to be so sheer and real. This sculpture depicts the moment in the Book of Genesis when Rebekah met her future husband, Isaac. Out of modesty. Rebekah "took her veil and covered herself."

· Name a work of art that you like but would not take home. Why?
New Figuration, 1985 Tony Cragg (British, born 1949)
This particular work of art contained everything from plastic lighters to broken pieces of plastic. This brightly assembly of colored plastic objects certainly depicts a figure in silhouette. The way it is displayed on the wall makes it appear as though it is in flight. Amazing!

· Name a work that taught you something that you did not know. What?
Port of London, Night, 1894 Maximilien Luce
This painting was created by using a technique called pointillism. Pointillism is a method in which a creation is made by applying a series of small dots or points of color.

· Name a work of art that felt sad to you. Why did it make you feel sad?
Results of Poor Housing, ca. 1941-1943 Oil on board. Hale Woodruff (American, 1900-1980)
Hale Woodruff made two paintings to express his support for the work of James H. Therrell, the first Director of Public Housing for the city of Atlanta. This particular work of art made me feel sad because of the lifestyles of so many people we say on our trip to the Museum. There were homeless people lying on the sides of the streets and under bridges. The sadness certainly hit home when we say a woman and a man digging for food in the garbage cans. Real life….tremendously sad!

· Name a work of art that identifies a historic moment in time. Why?
Martin Luther King Jr., Arrested Montgomery, Alabama, 1958
While trying to enter a Montgomery courtroom, MLK Jr. was arrested for loitering. Charles Moore’s photograph aroused outrage and support.
Additional works:
Mississippi Burning photographs
Anniston Bus Burning
All of the above are actual incidents that provoked a change in history.


· Name a work of art that reminded you of something or someone in your life? Who?
Portrait of Anne, 1915 Oil on canvas by George Bellows (American 1882-1925)
This work of art reminded me a little girl that goes to our church named Alex. She is very prim and proper just like the little girl portrayed in the painting.

· Name a work of art that shocked you. Why?
She Mistook Kindness for Weakness (SMKFW), 1986 Oil and modeling past on velvet Julian Schnabel (American, born 1951
This work of art was amazing and shocking. It was shocking because when you turn the corner it just looks like a big mess, something that has paint splashed upon it. But, when you really study it, figures form right in front of your eyes.

· Briefly compare the folk art gallery, and the contemporary gallery with the rest of the museum.
Folk art gallery displayed a wide assortment of the use of “common” objects. A wide range of objects reflected the craft traditions and traditional social values of various social groups. The art within the contemporary art gallery focused on things that were more abstract. The items were simple in form and were very colorful. Some consisted of just straight lines, where other works were mangled and had no form. The remainder of the art museum was very poise and precise, focusing of sculptures and paintings.

· What was your favorite gallery and why?
The American Gallery was a favorite. This presented a lifeline through history, and it is important to see where we have come from. However, all the exhibits were fascinating in their own way, some were very simple, and others very elaborate.

· Describe the part of you High Museum experience that was the most meaningful to you.
I enjoyed the entire museum. However, the most meaningful would have to be the three captivating exhibits entitled COURAGE: the Vision to End Segregation, the Guts to Fight for it, Seeking Justice: The Leo Frank Case Revisited and Road to Freedom: Photographs of the Civil Rights Movement, 1956-1968.